by Manda Scott
First published 2008
Stella Cody discovers a blue crystal skull crafted by the Maya, but someone immediately tries to kill her for it. The sapphire artifact belongs to a collection of thirteen skulls that ancient prophecies claim must reunite before December 21, 2012, or the world will end. Cedric Owen, the skull's previous guardian, died protecting its location for four centuries. Now Stella faces the same deadly pursuit. She races to decode Owen's cryptic writings, sketches, and ciphers that have stumped scholars for generations. Her research reveals a hidden prophecy involving four mysterious creatures and thirteen precious stones. As December 21st approaches, Stella realizes the skull's power extends far beyond legend. Multiple forces hunt her, determined to claim or destroy the artifact. With only days remaining, she must solve Owen's final puzzle and reunite the skulls. The fate of humanity rests on her ability to unlock secrets that span from ancient Mayan civilization to a sixteenth-century queen's court before time runs out completely.
Genres: adventure, mystery, archaeology, fantasy, thriller
Vibes: fast-paced, suspenseful, thought-provoking
Tropes: chosen-one, race-against-time, treasure-hunt
Setting: Maya, Mayan Civilization
Period: 16th Century, 21st Century, December 21 2012
Audio CD · Random House Audio